Our mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver

Waymo History

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  09

  The Google self-driving car project begins

  We set out on a challenge to drive autonomously over ten uninterrupted 100-mile routes in our Toyota Prius vehicles. Months later, we’d succeeded in driving more autonomous miles than had ever been driven before.

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  15

  First fully autonomous ride on public roads

  We explored what self-driving cars could be with the Firefly. These cars had custom sensors, computers, steering, and braking, with no steering wheel or pedals. That year, our friend Steven Mahan took the world’s first fully self-driving ride on public roads in Austin, TX. Steve is legally blind.

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  16

  Waymo becomes an independent self-driving technology company

  Waymo was established under Alphabet as a self-driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to move around.

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  17

  Waymo's Early Rider Program begins

  We invited residents in Arizona’s Metro Phoenix area to join us in the first public trial of autonomous ride-hailing. Their feedback has been integral in helping shape our technology, service, and customer experience.

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  18

  Waymo One launches in Metro Phoenix

  We launched the world's first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan — our first vehicle built on a mass-production platform designed for and integrated with the Waymo Driver.

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  20

  Waymo opens up our fully autonomous, rider-only Waymo One service in Metro Phoenix to all members of the public

  Anyone in the U.S. can download the Waymo One app directly (available on Google Play and the App Store) and instantly hail a fully autonomous ride in our service territory.

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  21

  Waymo’s Trusted Tester research program begins

  We began allowing select San Franciscans to use our autonomous ride-hailing service for their everyday needs while providing valuable feedback that helps shape the future of mobility.

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  22

  Waymo launches rider-only service to the public in SF

  In early 2022 we began serving fully autonomous riders — with no human behind the wheel — to employees and the public alike through our waitlist and to Trusted Testers.

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  22

  Waymo offers first-ever fully autonomous ride-hailing service to an airport

  Waymo becomes the first autonomous ride-hailing service to offer paid, fully autonomous, 24/7 rides to and from an airport after launching rides at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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  23

  Waymo serves its first fully autonomous rides in its next ride-hailing city: LA

  After announcing that Los Angeles will be Waymo’s next ride-hailing city, we served our first-ever, rider-only rides in LA with employees.

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  23

  Waymo autonomous fleet becomes all-electric

  We transitioned to an all-electric fleet, bidding a fond farewell to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and committing to the Jaguar I-PACE across our Waymo One fleet.

• 23

  Waymo One doubles service area in Metro Phoenix, adding Scottsdale

  In May 2023, we connected our Downtown Phoenix and East Valley service territories in Arizona and added Scottsdale, making it the largest fully autonomous, paid ride-hailing service area in the world at 180 square miles.

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  24

  Opening San Francisco to all

  We opened our San Francisco service area to the public for anyone to download and ride.

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  24

  Welcoming all riders in the city of Angels

  Waymo opened its doors to anyone in LA and said goodbye to the waitlist. Anyone can now download and ride in our LA service area.